Many Philadelphia Eagles fans will surely pit their near-blown lead in Western New York on Sunday on offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo.
But coach Nick Sirianni put the onus on himself, assigning blame to himself to himself after Philadelphia hung on for a 13-12 win over the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on Sunday.
The Eagles led by two touchdowns with six minutes left in regulation yet surrendered a pair of short rushing touchdowns to Bills QB Josh Allen. The Bills could have won if not for Allen’s unforced error on a throw to Khalil Shakir on a two-point attempt with five seconds left.
The Eagles (11-5) have won three straight games and will close their regular season against the Washington Commanders on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.
Nick Sirianni: ‘I Need To Do A Better Job’ In The Second Half vs Buffalo
Despite their gaudy record, the Eagles have made blowing second-half leads a habit this season.
They nearly coughed up a 24-6 halftime advantage against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3, then did blow a 14-point fourth-quarter lead in Week 4 against the Denver Broncos. Their worst blown lead came against the hated-rival Dallas Cowboys in Week 12, when they gave away a 21-0 halftime lead in their 24-21 loss.
So the fact the Eagles mustered just 17 yards, got one first down and possessed the ball for 8:46 in the second half must remind some fans of those horrific performances earlier in the season. Sirianni, to his credit, owned up to his mistakes.
“I just need to do a better job in the second half,” Sirianni said. “Everything on that field has my name on it.”
The Eagles’ issues were especially prescient in the fourth quarter, and fans undoubtedly took issue with Patullo’s conservative playcalling. Philadelphia posted just one yard on seven plays and attempted only two passes amid a driving rain storm.
Yet, Sirianni didn’t feel Patullo take his foot off the gas.
“We weren’t in a mode of saying ‘hey, 13-0 is enough,’” Sirianni said. “Not against this quarterback, not against this offense. I don’t think our mindset was ever that.”
Nick Sirianni: ‘It’s Hard To Get More Involved’ In Real Time
Eagles fans have been calling for Sirianni to call plays and get more involved in the offensive game plan, especially amid second-half performances like the one in Orchard Park on Sunday.
Yet, Sirianni explained why that is easier said than done.
“It’s hard to do in real time,” Sirianni said. “If there’s a play called, and then I say to myself ‘ah right there in that scenario?’ then you’re going to get low on the play clock.
“It’s got to be better communication from me. … It’s got to be done a little bit more by me in between series, and that’s always a challenge because you’re managing the game.”
Sirianni lauded Patullo’s playcalling in the first half, where the Eagles scored on three consecutive drives — keyed by a forced fumble that set them up at the Buffalo 45-yard line. Philadelphia ran 23 second-quarter plays and turned them into a pair of Jake Elliott field goals, the latter of which ultimately was the difference in the game.
“Kevin did a great job, especially in the first half,” Sirianni said.
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